Airstrikes on rebel groups claim 40 in Philippines

The Philippines military said however it was yet to recover a single body from the marshy area on southern Mindanao island that it attacked on Thursday, targetting leaders from the regional militant and separatist groups.

"Based on radio intercepts, we learned that there were 40 rebels killed including two ranking JI leaders," said Mindanao military chief, Lieutenant General Alberto Braganza.